The TV To Get Excited About This Autumn

From the end of Nucky Thompson to Tom Hardy as a Brummie gangster, 10 shows to look out for in the new season

By
Tom Ward

01/09/2014

Everyone knows that TV keeps its best shows for Autumn and Winter, when the terrible weather and dark nights mean holing up in front of the box is far more appealing than going out or, y'know, talking to anyone.

Accordingly, this year's schedule is set to be a small screen feast, with new and returning dramas from the US and the UK alike. Get ready for the end of a bootlegging empire, the origins of Batman, the funny side of government cuts and not one, but three programs tackling the end of the world.

1 of 10

The Leftovers

If you’ve read our interview with star Justin Theroux, you’ll know we’re very much behind HBO’s latest apocalypse drama. Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel of the same name, the series is set three years after two percent of the Earth’s population suddenly disappeared in an event known as The Departure. Theroux stars as a small town chief of police, trying to hold on to what little order is left as a mysterious cult of mute former sinners (including Liv Tyler) set about upsetting the status quo. Those worried about Damon Lindelof’s writing credit will be pleased to know that he seems to have reigned in the spontaneity a bit since the Lost days, so we’re not expecting any giant polar bears any time soon.

Sky Atlantic – 18 September

2 of 10

Peaky Blinders

Touted as the British answer to Boardwalk Empire, the turn of the century drama about a street gang operating illegal gambling dens quickly became its own animal over the course of its six episode run last year. This time around, the Peaky Blinders (led by Cillian Murphy) are expanding their empire down to London where guest star Tom Hardy will be causing trouble for the boys from Birmingham. Expect sharp suits, slick haircuts and plenty of double crossing. Whether every episode will still feature at least one Jack White song remains to be seen.

BBC 2 – 2 October

3 of 10

The Strain

Guillermo del Toro originally wrote vampire horror The Strain as a TV script. Unable to sell it, the story was turned into a novel. Now, the circle is complete as the thirteen-episode season is set to make its way onto our screens this autumn. Starring the excellent Corey Soll (House Of Cards) as Epidemiologist Dr Goodweather, the first episode revolves around a mysterious plane full of corpses landing at JFK. When the bodies disappear from the morgue, Goodweather is sent to investigate what he quickly realises is an ancient mutation of vampirism. As usual, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Judging from the show's first trailer (not to mention advance reviews from the US) The Strain looks set to offer a fresh (and intelligent) take on a tired genre.

Watch Channel – 17 September

4 of 10

The Knick

Having seen the first few episodes, we can confirm that Steven Soderbergh’s new series – about a New York hospital at the turn of the century – is one of the best original shows of the year. Clive Owen’s cocaine-addled, short-tempered head surgeon Dr John Thackery is the lead in a team where ambulance drivers fight each other for bodies, the chief of staff has his teeth pulled by the mob and a secret, make-shift surgery for poor black New Yorkers (literally) operates in the basement, all of it soundtracked by 80s synth, courtesy of Drive’s Cliff Martinez.

Sky Atlantic – 16th October

5 of 10

Gotham

Before we get chance to see Ben Affleck as Batman on the big screen, we’re returning to the homeland of the caped crusader in Fox’s new noir Gotham. Set twenty or so years prior to the story of the Batman, the series will take a closer look at the origins of Detective (and future Commissioner) James Gordon, (The O.C.’s Ben McKenzie). As anyone who’s read Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One will know, the young Jim Gordon is more than capable of holding his own in a battle of wits or fists against an array of big-bads. Luckily, Gotham has no shortage of bad apples, with younger versions of Penguin and Catwoman making an appearance alongside Jada Pinkett Smith as mob boss Fish Mooney.

Channel 5 – 13 October

6 of 10

Glue

No one does teen dramas quite like E4. Their latest offering, Glue, looks set to continue the trend with the latest offering from scriptwriter Jack Throne (This Is England ’88, Skins). This time around, Thorne has swapped Britain’s cities for the countryside in an eight-episode drama that kicks off with the body of a teenager being found beneath the wheels of a tractor. As the investigation unfolds the dark secrets of the local teenagers become unraveled in a drama that has been described as a tale of "ambition, hope, darkness and anarchy" and features Submarine’s Yasmin Paige and the acting debut of Rizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens.

Channel 4 – 15 September

7 of 10

The Walking Dead

As AMC’s The Walking Dead approaches it’s fifth season, the internet is awash with rumours, hints and hopes for how Rick and the remaining survivors will escape their incarceration at the mysterious Terminus, and which comic book locations and characters will make an appearance if and when they’re back on the road. If you’re new to the show, all you need to know is that there’s heart at the centre of this character-driven zombie fest, and yes, even brains.

Fox UK – 13 October

8 of 10

Cut

Channel 4’s uni comedy Fresh Meat may have been hit and miss but as hard-drinking Vod, Zawe Ashton never disappointed. She’s back in comedy territory for Channel 4 with Cut, about a group of civil servants forced to relocate to Northampton from London, following a round of government cuts. Ashton plays a divorcee forced to revisit a difficult relationship, while The History Boys’ Sacha Dhawan plays a drink and drug fanatic pretending to be a devout Muslim and Anastasia Hille is the head of human resources surprised to find herself on the receiving end of her own cuts. Perfect for thirty-somethings across the country asking where exactly it all went wrong.

Channel 4 - October

9 of 10

Boardwalk Empire

Nucky Thompson’s reign is coming to an end in the final, eight-part season of HBO’s prohibition drama. Jumping forward to 1931 and the Depression, season five finds the balance of power disrupted. Chalky White is working in a prison chain gang while Lucky Luciano and Al Capone are enjoying life at the top of the pile. Meanwhile, Nucky travels to Cuba as the noose finally tightens around his neck.

Sky Atlantic – 13 September

10 of 10

Homeland

We’re cautiously optimistic about season four of Homeland. In its first season heyday the premise of a double agent returning home after years of captivity was fresh and timely. Then it all started feeling a little bit silly. With (spoiler alert) Brody having been strung up at the end of season three, Homeland seems free to start again with a fresh premise, location and supplemented cast in season four, including TV’s man of the moment, Corey Stoll.

ESQUIRE, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK
Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.